South Shore Hospital Probes 2 Childbirth Deaths In A Month

South Shore Hospital in Weymouth says it's conducting an internal review and has notified the state after two women died from complications during childbirth in one month.

The Enterprise News reports that hospital spokeswoman Sarah Darcy said Sunday the two deaths last Wednesday and Dec. 14 appear to be unpredictable and unpreventable. She says it's early in the investigation, but there's no indication that anything could have been done to avoid the deaths.

In Massachusetts, five women on average have died each year during the past 10 years as a result of childbirth-related circumstances.

The federal Centers for Disease Control says nationwide, about 650 maternal deaths are recorded each year during pregnancy and delivery.

The numbers are rising, with improved reporting of maternal deaths and environmental factors cited as reasons.